douglasmkelly's posterous

Google Android phones have held my attention over the last year+. An open source cell phone and a rival to Apple and Windows intrigues me. I've been greatly dismayed with how cellphone makers haven't really embraced the Google Operating System, built on Linux. There haven't been many provider options in the US either. This week, though, a couple Android phones hit Verizon.

I used to have Alltel for years. Alltel's service in the Great Lakes Region of the US was better than outstanding. Their EVDO (3G) service out on the beach up in Ludington or in my basement, or traveling down the highway was superb. I purchased a 3G wireless card from Alltel and saw better than ISDN speeds, which was good because I could only get dial-up to the house in the country.

An early adopter of the iPhone, I was not. I played with my friends' phones and saw the appeal, but couldn't see paying the Alltel termination fee on top of the device's high price, nor could I see using the terrible AT&T network in Michigan. I ended up purchasing a Blackberry from Alltel. Even though it wasn't touch screen, Alltel had left it open to download apps. The problem was there weren't many free apps and the storage was abysmal. You could add a micro-SD card, but couldn't load it with apps, only pics and music. I started hoping that Alltel (then owned by Goldman Sachs) would pick up an Android phone so I could get a really good device.

When Verizon bought Alltel last year I was angered, to say the least. At first they started dropping calls. Then I started getting bad reception. Finally they dropped support for my Air-card, meaning no internet at the home office. That was a last straw! I started in talks with AT&T. I figured if I was going to have to live with terrible coverage it might as well be on a device I loved. I looked at T-Mobile's HTC Android phone when it came out, but it was bulky, had little app support and the interface was a little kludgy. T-Mobile's network in MI was worse than AT&T. I decided I couldn't wait for more providers to roll out a Google phone and grabbed a new iPhone 3GS. I love it. And now I finally have decent Edge service, since the leaves have fallen off the trees.

This week I was intrigued to learn about this new Motorola Droid that Verizon is offering running Google Android. I have read some reviews that definitely sing it's praises. It's price tag of $200 rivals the iPhone. It sports a micro-SD slot, separate camera button and slide out keyboard. There are mixed reviews on the keyboard, but I'm sure it would take getting used to, if you are moving from the iPhone. I speculate that Verizon is going to lock down the Operating System as much as they can, as it's more than a reputation - its a business model. I am happy to see Motorola running away from Windows Mobile and embracing Android, perhaps driving further innovation in the Cell Phone World. www.androphones.com

Today I read about a new inexpensive Android phone that is coming out on VZ's network: The HTC Eris. I am happy to see any provider offer multiple phones with Android. It would seem, however, that it's worse than HTC's T-Mobil phone: www.wired.com. I'd probably pay the extra $100 for a better phone. The biggest draw backs for me are switching networks AGAIN and the termination fee. I've 3 lines on AT&T. So, for this writer, I'll be sticking with my iPhone.